Travis Dickinson

Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Christian Apologetics

Since I grew up in New Jersey, I decided to attend Alaska Bible College (BA in Education, 1999). Alaska was really cold, so I thawed a little in teaching High School classes in Bible and mathematics from 1999-2004 in Denver, CO. There is no ocean in Colorado, so I began my graduate work at Biola University (MA in Christian Apologetics, 2003) in southern California with the intent to pursue graduate work in World Religions. Upon finding myself gripped more by the philosophical questions underlying the religious ones, I returned to Biola (this time Biola’s seminary, Talbot School of Theology) for their philosophy program (MA in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics, 2006). I had not completely solved any philosophical problems so I pursued answers at the University of Iowa (MA and PhD in Philosophy, 2011). I am currently working on answers to these questions at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

I teach in both the College and the School of Theology. At the college, I teach the humanities seminars, exploring the great books, as well as courses in philosophy and apologetics.

In the School of Theology, I teach philosophy and apologetics. Here we offer a Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics and a PhD in Philosophy of Religion.

I love to challenge students to think hard and to do so with care. I’m convinced that pursuing truth and thinking well can be an act of worship as we love God with our minds.

My scholarly research interests center on epistemology and philosophy of religion (and all related areas!).

I once had some hobbies but now I spend most of my time exploring the good life with my wife and four children. We are members at First Baptist Church of Burleson and stay excited for what God is doing in and through this congregation.

Current Course List

Social Institutions (HIS-3233-A)

Social Institutions

Advanced seminar in the primary literature pertaining to the development and maintenance of social institutions. An investigation of complex social forms constituting the enduring features of social life. Topics include: families; governments, economic systems, education; religions; sociology; political science; human rights; just war.

Day(s): WF

Time: 11:30AM-12:45PM

Meeting Dates: 01/22/15-05/08/15

Credit Hours: 3.00

Room: F 17

Intro to Christian Apologetics (PHI-1203-A)

Intro to Christian Apologetics

An introduction to apologetics that surveys recent scholarship regarding the truth claims of Christianity and that provides practical ways to use apologetics in evangelism.

Day(s): WF

Time: 08:30AM-09:45AM

Meeting Dates: 01/22/15-05/08/15

Credit Hours: 3.00

Room: S 119

Christian Apologetics (PHILO-4373-A)

Christian Apologetics

An introductory study of selected issues in apologetics. Common objections to Christian truth claims will be critically appraised and answered.

Day(s): TTH

Time: 11:30AM-12:45PM

Meeting Dates: 01/22/15-05/08/15

Credit Hours: 3.00

Room: F 17

Christian Apologetics (PHILO-4373-C)

Christian Apologetics

An introductory study of selected issues in apologetics. Common objections to Christian truth claims will be critically appraised and answered.

Credit Hours: 3.00

Christian Apologetics - ThM (PHILO-4374-A)

Christian Apologetics - ThM

Day(s): TTH

Time: 11:30AM-12:45PM

Meeting Dates: 01/22/15-05/08/15

Credit Hours: 4.00

Room: F 17

Apologetics Research (PHILO-4511-A)

Apologetics Research

Credit Hours: 1.00

Intermediate Logic (PHILO-5393-A)

Intermediate Logic

An intermediate study of symbolic logic, focusing on quantificational, modal logic and probability theory. Attention is given to the contemporary application of symbolic logic to issues in philosophical theology, Christian apologetics, and related disciplines. Familiarity with propositional logic is presupposed. Prerequisite: PHILO 5373.

An intermediate study of symbolic logic, focusing on quantificational, modal logic and probability theory. Attention is given to the contemporary application of symbolic logic to issues in philosophical theology, Christian apologetics, and related disciplines. Familiarity with propositional logic is presupposed. Prerequisite: PHILO 5373.